Dear Confused: I’m sorry about your mom’s health. We can feel so helpless when we watch a loved one suffer especially when the doctors to whom we look for advice seem to give up. Palliative care and hospice are related in that they both provide comfort care. The difference... Read more →
Entries categorized "Tips for Seniors"
One strong point of almost everyone’s personality, is whether or not independence or safety is of primary importance. Some elders feel better when everything is extra safe, while others would rather take some risk Read more →
Dear TR: You and your husband have my deepest sympathy for his poor health as well as for the distress his grown children are causing. Your husband’s decision is allowing for the reality of his illness and his dignity as a human being. While his children have a right to their religious beliefs Read more →
Men often blame irritability in a woman as “that time of the month,” referring to menstruation, or on menopause if the woman is older, and sadly, women often perpetuate this type of thinking out of habit. Read more →
Dear CF: Thank you for recognizing the contributions of this lovely neighbor, both for what she does for your mom in terms of favors as well as for their shared, longtime friendship. I’m sure having her there so often with your mom is a relief for you, as well. Read more →
Many conditions can carry as a side effect some degree of fecal incontinence, so if you are affected, or someone you care for is struggling with the issue, having a better understanding of the potential causes could help ease the way toward treatment or acceptance. Read more →
This is short and sweet but since Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period begins next month, I wanted to share some useful links with my readers on Medicare Read more →
...Gray hair, wrinkles and skin spots aren’t terminal issues. They are battle scars worth noting and respecting. When you offer help to your elders, focus on what they can do rather what they can't, even if that involves some risk. Offer help when needed, but do so with respect. Read more →
As men age, the prostate tends to grow larger which can eventually cause any number of health issues including urine retention, but it can become cancerous, as well. Read more →
Insisting you are right because, well, you know better. You don’t have dementia. People living with dementia (PLWD) have an increasingly limited ability to understand the world as we see it. Therefore, we need to learn to see the world from their view. When we do this, Read more →